Land Rover's next Range Rover moving upmarket

July 4, 2018, 3:06 amby Ronan Glon

The next Range Rover will face more competition than ever before.

Land Rover is in the early stages of developing the next-generation Range Rover. The SUV faces more competition than ever before, and the segment will continue to grow in the coming years, so getting it right the first time is crucial. While the company is keeping its lips tightly sealed, a new report sheds insight into what we can expect from its next flagship model.

Officials confirmed the next Range Rover will ride on a brand-new modular platform that makes extensive use of aluminum. Closely following an industry trend, engineers envision a platform flexible enough to underpin a wide variety of cars ranging from a compact sedan like the Jaguar XE to a full-size SUV like the Range Rover.

British magazine learned the model's dimensions won't change much. Don't expect a design revolution, either. Inside, it will receive an evolution of the dual-screen infotainment system found in the Velar and Jaguar's I-Pace.

We have a vague idea of what to expect in terms of technical specifications. Land Rover will replace the current model's V6 engines with brand-new straight-six units designed in-house. Both gasoline- and diesel-powered versions will be offered, some with 48-volt mild hybrid technology. The V8 and plug-in hybrid options will return.

Land Rover won't offer a battery-electric variant at launch because it wants its first electric car to be a standalone model. Autocar notes a battery-electric Range Rover could arrive later in the production run to satisfy demand from buyers -- and, more likely, regulators -- in key Asian markets like China.

The next-generation Land Rover Range Rover will make its debut around the turn of the next decade and arrive in showrooms in 2021. The firm will nudge its flagship a little bit further upmarket to better align it with its growing set of rivals. When it breaks cover, the competition will include the Bentley Bentayga, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, and newcomers like the Audi Q9 and the BMW X8.